Day 87...Home Sweet Home, Final Blog

Thanks to everyone that followed us to and from AZ.    We had a great winter.  The temps were perfect.  The flowers came out a couple weeks early so we got to enjoy blooming plants and trees that we hadn't seen before.    We were gone most evenings so we didn't have much time on the deck after supper.   The whole trip home was a Blessing..  no problems at all.  Even the motels were acceptable.

We got to Terri's yesterday about noon.   She had lunch ready for us.     Mel snuggled in the recliner,  Bob had to get ready for his evening service.   Terri  took me for a ride around town.   I seen where she worked,  where Amanda was working,   where Amanda goes to cheering practiced.    We delivered Aidan to his friends for a skate board afternoon.

When we got back  Mel was sick and wanted to go home.   So we repacked our suitcases in the car and sadly said our good byes.   We made a couple bathroom stops and he started to feel better.   I think He was mostly over tired.

We got home by 8:30.   We didn't see any snow on our whole trip but we got into Dexter and there was all the snow.   piles and piles....Our back yard is very deep with 4 foot drifts.   All this even after some melting.

It was pretty nice out today.   close to 50.     Trey helped Mel unpack the car.  I got only about half put away.

My back is still hurting a lot  Hard to get my work done.   I will go to chiropractor as soon as I know Mel's agenda for the week.  

Hopefully the truck will start tomorrow and drive out of the ice.   If it does Mel will take it to get the inspections and then be ready for work by Monday.  

Tom came over.   We had a good visit.    Couldn't get to Russ.   I will try again tomorrow.   I hear we have another new driver.   Mallory got her permit.  :-)

Cupboards are pretty bare so we ate supper at the Pit stop.   Better go to town tomorrow and get some groceries.

Plans for the days ahead:
Me to chiropractor,  Me get hair permed, Molly get hair cut,  Supper out with  Uncle Arnold and Aunt Penny,  Get computer fixed,   See what needs to be done with our Brad Boice concert at church on the 27th, finish putting stuff away,  maybe the dr for my cough.   and on and on and on.........  

I hope it will only be nice days ahead.

I am "baby"sitting Trey and Pams doggie,  Teddy.   He is a good little guy.

I hope to see you all at some point this summer.

I will be back on the blog next year as we head for AZ again .

Good night and God Bless
Sending a big hug too.

Day 86...Kansas City MO

Fuel mileage yesterday.  going 70 mph with AC on.

cross wind part of the day and tail wind part of the time.

Not bad for a fully loaded Chev.

 

                                                  Water tower On TX - OK line

Mel and an old chain drive race car

                                                Big cross near Shamrock TX

                                           Sunset in Kansas City MO.
                                        We just ate at Denny's and was getting in the car when
                                           I noticed this.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Hello,    I finally got a few pictures on tonight.    It was kind of cloudy today so didn't take any other than the sunset.

 

We went threw a few sprinkles but nothing big.   Just made the car spotty.

 

It is really amazing the way the exit ramps are built in some places.   Mel said Paige could do the planning as well as the engineers.  

 

We are in Kansas City MO for the night.    We will be in Des Moines tomorrow and will spend some time with Terri and Bob.    I might not blog tomorrow night.

 

WE WILL BE HOME SUNDAY ...........YAAAAAAAAAAAA  !!!!

I hear Russ has the driveway plowed out so we can get in.   Thanks Russ !!

 

Good night and God Bless

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

Day 85...Homeward bound

Here we are in Elk City OK.   I got a lot of pictures today but it won't let me put any on.
We got a late start this morning.   slept a bit later than planned,  Had breakfast at Denny's and then went to the Unser museum.

We aren't only NASCAR race fans but also Indy car fans.  The Unser family had many Indy drivers Bobby, Al, Al Jr.  and others in their family.  They also raced up Pikes Peak.   They won many, many races.   Interesting place.   

We didn't go very far when it was dinner time.  We had some good sandwiches at Arby's.   Got gas and hit the road.   Golly,   we got 86.9 MPG.   Isn't that great?

Another time change.   2 hrs difference.   Hard to get used to.

We had Chinese for supper.   Not bad but not as good as Austin's Chinese.  This one didn't even have ice cream !!!

Not really happy with this hotel.   I refused the first room and this "no smoking" room sure smells of smoke so almost said no again.   I opened the window and turned on the AC so it isn't to bad now.   Hard water so the shower gave me itchy skin.

My coughing is driving me crazy !!!  My back isn't any better either.  
I just need to be home,   don't you think?

Good night and God Bless

Day 84...On the way home

Can you see the buildings way at the bottom of the valley?

 Going down..  we were at 6000 feet.

 

                                We seen so many of the white flowers  on the side of the road
                 but had no idea what they were.  I was so surprised to find out it
                 was just a thistle.   Never seen one bloom like this.

                                                   Close up of the thistle flower.

  Keep in mind that I took these with only my little cell phone camera and threw the
     windshield...  a dirty one too.
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow..  what a day..   After such a full day yesterday I still didn't sleep well.  But I never do before a trip.   Up early again  this morning - 6:00.   Mel unhooked the gas, water, & electricity.  
My back was so sore I could hardly walk.  I did get the final few things done and we were on our way by 7:30.  Just a half hour later than planned.
We had breakfast at Koffa and then we were on our way.

The scenery was so pretty with the blossoms in the desert and soon into the hills.
By the time we got to  the wind picked up and soon was blowing really hard.
It was a cross wind so it was hard driving.   But after checking our fuel mileage we were pleased..   We were getting between 33 and 34 mpg.  Going 70 with the AC on, in the wind.

I could hardly breath in the wind when we would stop at rest areas.   
Glad I didn't spend much time with my hair this morning.

It cooled down pretty good at the higher elevation.   Had to put my sweat shirt on.

We has supper at the Golden Coral and to our room by 8.

I better get to bed.  My head is still on Brenda time and  it is Mountain savings time.  And hour later.  We will lose another hour tomorrow.

Molly has been a good girl.   She does like to travel.

Good night and God Bless

Day 83...Going home

             This cactus is as high as the roof of the laundromat in our park.
              must have a kazillion buds on it.   not many open yet.
                      -----------------------------------------------------

Hi everyone..  

We are all packed up!  I thought we had room left over but Mel had to really stuff the last few things.  He scared me too as he tripped and fell down the steps.   He doesn't seem to be hurt.   He would never admit to it anyway.

We were up at 7 (felt like the middle of the night) and went out for breakfast.  Then Mel worked on the deck stuff while I finished up stuff inside.  Washed the last of the cloths, dishes, vacuumed, swept, packed.

Our friends Bev and Frank (our old neighbors) invited us to lunch in Quartzsite.
Cliff came over and helped Mel cover the deck and put a big chair inside.   Then we went to eat.

Home again for a couple of hours.   Mel even took a half hour nap.  Then off to Blythe to meet the Wilsons and a big meal at the Sizzler Buffet.

The day isn't done yet.    We came back to Desert Gold for the Gospel jam.   An oh what a jam it was.   Lots of band members still here.  Wonderful, beautiful music.

Home again and Mel put our suit cases in the car.......  so I just have to pack my computer and go to bed.

I dare not even think of anything forgotten as there wouldn't be room for it anyway.

See ya down the road...

good night and God Bless

Day 82...almost packed

Hello,
Wew...  was it a hot one again today.   90 degrees.    I filled the car up with it to take
home with me.

Mel helped a neighbor move a shed to their place this morning.   So he has been on the go since before 8.

We only have the deck furniture left to put away then cover the deck floor so the sun don't damage it. 

Mel has packed the car so well he still has room for more.....hmmmm what should I get.   No,  won't do that.   I have all I need.

We had Mel's chili for lunch and nice stakes for supper.   Just a few things left from frig now.   deal with that tomorrow.    Some things can be taken home.  We will be eating out tomorrow so no more dishes to wash...for a few days anyway.

Shower and bed next.

Good night and God Bless

Day 81...2 more days left

Hello everyone.

It won't let me put pictures on again.   I didn't have anything special anyway.

We said our goodbyes at church this morning.  Home for lunch and the start of the race.   The final music jam at our club house for the season.   So many have gone home already so there was only 27 people there and that included the musicians.    Only lasted an hour.   We had cookies and coffee then home to see the end of the race.

I think I will have to change my attitude for the Busch brothers as they always win.  Sure was a crazy end to the race.

We were invited to a block party behind us so we took our cart and headed over.  Guess we are not much of party animals anymore as we found it quit boring.
We stayed long enough to have some lunch and home again.

We went to Alice & Kermit's for a short.   She finished a quilt so I wanted to see it.
They are leaving for home in a few days also.    (Northern Minnesota)

I better get to bed.   Lots to do tomorrow.

Good night & God Bless

Day 80...more stew

                           The grocery tent in Quartzsite.    We get most of our
                                   canned goods there.  50 cents for a can of soup.

                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------


I made some more stew today and used up the beef roast and veggies we had.
Tasted pretty good.   Had it for dinner and supper.   That's enough for me.    Mel can finish it tomorrow.

We went to Quartzsite this afternoon and got some canned goods.   Most of the venders are either closed and gone or just packing up now.   This grocery tent is closing next week.   All there goods are 50% off.   Anything left after they close is going to a food shelf and the senior center.

We also visited the Donut shop.  :~)   cream filled bismark.   Mel's was choc covered.

Stopped for a loaf of bread and then home.  Cliff and Verona came over for a nice visit.  Then supper time.   More beef stew.   woopie!

Trey said we have a wet basement.   Just what I was afraid of.

Also good news from friend, Dixie.   Thanks for your help.   Sure made me happy.

See you in church...
Good night and God Bless

                                            neighbors cactus

Day 79...I hope this works

I couldn't make the other post work at all.   Didn't even have a curser.   So I will try and finish .    Opps..   I forgot where I left off.

We had our last fish supper at Dos Amigo's tonight.   Wilsons joined us.   We had a good visit too. 

Mel just might have to leave me here as there is so much to put in the car.  My new beads will take a lot of room and I will not leave them here.   I probably should have left them in bags instead of the cases.  Mel is a good packer so I am sure he will figure out something.

We were going to a gun show tomorrow in Lake Havasu City but changed our mind.   To far to go.  So I wonder what we will do.

I have wondered how the plans are coming for our Brad Boice  (ETA) show at our church.   With my computer not working I haven't been able to do my part in the plans.   I guess I will find out soon.   April 27th at the Dexter Methodist church 2:00.  ;-)

Good night...   God Bless

Day 79...leaving in 5 days..(Wed)

    Ag & Audrey at the Dinner theater.

Hello,

Again this isn't working.   I don't know how the underline came on but It won't shut off.

Today went fast.......  (ha,  now I have blue letters)     I made a beef stew this morning.   Was a good lunch.    I have a small beef roast yet so I am going to cut that up and add more veggies to the stew for tomorrow.
 
I packed again this afternoon.   All my shoes and jewelry is put away so everyone will just have to see my in the same shoes and earrings.  Ha.

 

 



Day 78...packing and Dinner theater

                                   Melodrama dinner theater at Desert Gold park.
                                The Villain in black...

Hello,

I hope the snow is slowly melting.   We are leaving for home in a week.   Hope to be at Terri and Bob's by 29 or 30.

I got a lot of the cloths packed today and most of the small stuff from the deck put away.   I will tackle my shoes and beads tomorrow.

I went with the Wilsons to the Dinner theater in Desert Gold park.   Mel chose to stay home.  (he washed dishes.  :-} )   Dinner was so good.   Full coarse turkey supper.
It was so fun.   A Melodrama called Dirty Work Afoot.  Lots of Boo's for the villain and cheers for the hero.   The sign lady was a hoot.   There was little skits between acts including a synchronized swim team.     Just a lot of fun.

I can't get more pictures to work again.   I will try one more time.

Nope it  isn't going to work.   So good night and God Bless



                              

Day 77...Soup night

The Ocotillo cactus are blooming all over.

The blooms at the top are much redder than the picture shows.

This Palo Verde tree is by the park office.   We have 2 by us

but not in full bloom yet.   Many along the side of the roads but mostly as

bushes and not trees.   bright yellow !

 

--------------------------------------------------------------

 

Hello,  It was such a nice day today.   About 80 degrees and no wind.  cooled off nice this evening.

 

We went for a golf cart ride but almost didn't make it back home.   Mel had to push the last half block. New batteries next year. 

 

This afternoon we visited friends, Bev and Frank in Quartzsite.   Bev was our neighbor here for a few years.  We got home just in time for the parks "soup night".   This was the last one so we had all kinds of left overs from other nights.  4 kinds of soup,  biscuits, tacos, grilled cheese,  apple crisp,  ice cream,  & wine.   All was so good.

 

Home again and being the cart was charged up we went for another ride.   Stopped at Verona and Cliffs for a while.

 

I think it will be an early bed tonight.

 

About 8 days to go before we go home.   Maybe 10 days...

 

Good night...  God Bless



Day 76...Hope this works tonight

Hello,  
I still can't make this work like it should.   No pictures tonight.  I get so frustrated as this computer hasn't worked right since it crashed last month.    Hopefully I can find a good repair place when we get home.

Yesterday was pretty quiet for most of the day.    I made a hot dish to take to the pot luck supper.   This was at 4.   so much food there.  We went home for a while and then back to the sock hop at 7.   They played good music.    I miss dancing but my back & legs just won't let me.  They did Lots of line dancing, the chicken dance, schottische, polkas, 2 step, hokie pokie,  twist..   Maybe others but can't think.   We have some really good dancers so lots of fun to watch.   (Why didn't I teach Mel how to dance when we were young???  ;-/   )

It was really hot yesterday.   91 degrees,   We even turned on the AC.   Today it was cold.   70 degrees.   turned the heat on a bit tonight.  Must be getting us used to MN weather.  Oh,  I know.   Would be nice if it was 70 there.  But .....

Tonight we joined Wilsons for taco's.   then on to the Gospel Jam at Desert Gold.
They played and sang so many of my favorites tonight.  Including  If That Isn't Love and Go Rest High On The Mountain.  Verona & Cliff sat with us at the Jam.

Many are heading home this week.   But then there are many here yet too.    I wish we were leaving.   The ones leaving are mostly going north and not East where the snow is.

I am still coughing so will have to figure that out when we get home too.

Hoping all is well with you.

Hugs and Gods Blessings.

Day 75.. computer didn't work

I will write again tonight

Day 74...Missed the race

                                                Another beautiful cactus

                          ______________________________________________________

Howdy...  What a day of doing nothing.    My favorite race was today.   Nascar Sprint at Bristol TN.
But it got rained out after about 125 laps...It almost restarted but then rained again.  
We missed church and the music jam at our clubhouse just to watch it but never happened.   so we thought.   Then I seen on Face book that Edwards won.   so when did the race start again?   I thought I was watching for it.

The day was just a lazy do nothing day anyway.
We talked about going home next week but several have told us to wait.  Not sure what to do so will hold off until about the 28th or so and just watch the weather.  Shucks..   I really was hoping to go home.   Just don't like the packing part.

We needed a few things at the grocery store so had supper at the Buckaroo sandwich shop.

My picture transfer doesn't want to work very good but will try some pictures from yesterday.
Colorado river in Parker...

If only we could have went swimming but I think the water kind of cold yet.     I never had the camera out when a boat went by.  The water looked so blue but I think I like the Mississippi better.
Good night and God Bless...

Day 73...Fun trip to Parker

We had a fun ride with Alice and Kermit .   (They are from Northern Minnesota.)  
Kermit took us to see some nice places in and around Parker including to a restaurant way out in the boonies.    It was 5 miles off the main road way into the hills and desert.   A bumpy curvy narrow gravel road.   Soooo pretty back there.   The restaurant was unusual to say the least.   Hundreds of people there.   Decks, tables everywhere.  some foods...mostly hambergers on the main area and other sandwiches on the lower level.    
It is built in the rocks so that why all the different levels.  Live music played early rock.

   

I guess it is kind of hard to see how the place is laid out by my pictures.   the last one shows the road ahead.  Very rocky and bumpy.

After we ate we just road around and admired the big fancy homes.   Seen the beautiful lake (Colorado river) and boaters,.  Lots of RV parks along the river.

I will put the pictures of the river on tomorrow night.

Anxious to watch the race tomorrow.........

Good night and God Bless.

Day 72...supper with friends

                                           a HUGE flower on this cactus.

Hello,

We went to rummage sales in Brenda Park this morning.    I found some beads and small crosses for jewelry making.   Also a mixer.   Now I don't have to barrow Verona's.

For lunch we had the crock pot beef roast I cooked 2 days ago.   I reheated it in the crockpot again.  It was so good.

After lunch we headed West.    We stopped in Quartzsite for  bit of shopping.    Got a tarp for covering the deck when we leave  then got a few cans of soup at the grocery tent.  On to AG & Audreys RV park in Ehrenburg.  Our Nevada friends are there too.     We visited on the patio for a while and then went for a fish supper in Ehrenburg.  It was very good but I do like Dos Amigo's fish better.  The 6 of us went back to the park where Audrey served us pineapple upside down cake.  With ice cream even.    mmmm good.

Another big day tomorrow.   We are going with our Bemidji friends to the Parker area.  Not sure what they have in mind to do there but then I like surprises.

Good night and God Bless

Day 71...yard sales and jam

                                        The cacti are starting to bloom.   Sooo pretty!

Good evening,   How is everyone getting along with savings time?    AZ doesn't change the time so now home is 2 hrs different.     Another adjustment when we get home.

Still planning to leave sometime between the 30th & 1st.   Depends on the weather I guess.
I am ready anytime now   Just hate the thought of packing again.

We went to yard sales this morning at Desert Gold.   Always fun looking.   I did find a nice bunt pan. 
I have wanted one for a while.  We were invited to see the back yard of one of the park models.  They were in the last row of the park with only desert behind them and a beautiful mountain view.   He had the area landscaped so pretty.   plants,  pretty rocks laid out just right,  lawn chairs, bird bath,  other ornaments.  Could see all this from a huge deck.   I wish I had taken a picture.

We had a quiet afternoon and even took a short nap.  

Later we had company.   John & Betty from Henderson NV and AG and Audrey.   It was so nice on the deck with friends.  We all went to the Sandwich shop for supper.  I had my favorite - a half of "French dip"sandwich and fries with a salad bar.  mmmm

The Gospel Jam was the best ever tonight .   The music and harmony was just wonderful.
Lots of favorites were sung tonight including Pepe's "Lets All go Down To The River".
Hank and Naomi harmonized a song that I tried to remember the name but I didn't.  Gave me goose bumps.

Another busy day tomorrow.

Good night and God Bless

.

Day 70...friends for lunch

One of my cactus ready to bloom.  The skinny little

spike at the top not the orange on the ground.

                                         This cactus grew twice it's size since last year.

                                      ------------------------------------------------------------


Hello,   
I started the day by putting a beef roast in the crock pot along with potatoes and carrots.

Then we went up to the clubhouse parking area to watch the golf cart races.   This is always fun to see.  While there Mel got a call from friends and invited us to come for lunch in Quartzsite.  Where did we go???   Silly Al's pizza again.   I am kind of getting tired of that place.   I think we have been there 5 times this year.   Mel and I shared a burrito .  Sure it was good but anyway...

It was good to see Minnesota people.   Jerry, Phyllis, Roger, & Linda.   We have known them since high school.  They wanted to go to the book store but then that is another story.  :-/

Home for the afternoon.   We decided to go to soup supper and keep the roast for tomorrow.   Only 2 soup suppers left for us this year.

Going to rummage sales in the morning so I suppose I better go to bed early.

Good night and God Bless.

Day 69..Lady's lunch, Beads, tacos, Jam

 

Exciting news of the day !

Tom & Gretchen got engaged.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good evening,

I  sure got good news from Tom this morning.   This will also give us 3 more grandchildren.  ;-)

 

The women of Wagon West met at Silly Al's Pizza for lunch.   There were 40 of us.   Can you imagine the laughter and giggles??  It was fun.    4 of our guys met at another place.



 

This is all I could eat of the huge burrito I had.    Sure was good.   Now I can enjoy it again tomorrow.

After lunch Verona and I went to the Gem World.    I did get a few more beads but Verona made me do it.  ;~)

We got home just in time to meet the Wilsons at Dos Amigo's for tacos.     But the day wasn't over yet.

On to the Gospel Jam at Desert Gold.      So many have gone home so the band and the audience have really thinned out.   But the music is still soooo good.

The rest of the week will be just as busy as today so good thing we rested a lot yesterday.

Golf cart races and company tomorrow.   No I am not participating with the racing.....

See you then.

Good night and God Bless

Day 68...Lazy day

                               I didn't take any pictures today so thought I would show Molly
                              and Teddy (Pam & Treys dog) watching Mel leave in the truck.
                  ________________________________________________

Happy to say my sister in law, Nancy Stromback, is doing well after open heart surgery.  She has a ways to go yet though.     Hugs and prayers go to all my family up there.

I had a good day.   I slept late... washed a few loads of cloths,   read my emails, took a nap,  talked on the phone,  made a steak supper,  read facebook and now almost ready to go back to bed.  :-)
Busy days the rest of the week.

I am having a bedtime snack of raspberries.   Sooo good.  

Good night and God Bless

Day 67...Bonfire

This guy is only 95 and on oxygen.   But he bought this fancy

3 wheeler.

The alter in Gods Little Church

 

 

Mel at the bonfire,   waiting for all the food to arrive.

The sun was so bright but this is the fire ring and the food table.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Hello,

 

It has been a long day but nice.

 

Breakfast at the club house.   They served biscuits and gravy and scrambled eggs.

Home for a half hour and then to church.   

We had lunch at the Buckaroo's sandwich shop in Brenda then got

some stuff to take to the pot luck at the hot dog roast.

 

Home and turned on the race. But had to be at the music jam at 1:30.

I think we should have just stayed with the race as there wan't hardly anyone at the Jam.

We left right after the brake but sadly the race was already over.

 

So we got ready to go to the hotdog roast.    Gotta take plates and forks along.   Our drinks too.

So much to eat again.   Large hotdogs were a dollar a piece.  Others

brought salads,  chips,  dips, deserts, beans.

 

I hope we stay home all day tomorrow.   I am tired.

of course there is house work but I am sleeping in and staying home.

 

Already have plans for Tuesday threw Friday.

 

How much snow is gone?

 

Good night and God Bless

 

PS...  Sister in Law, Nancy is having open heart surgery tomorrow to fix heart valves.



Prayers for her please.

 

         Friend Roger is starting to improve from the flu and infectious meningitis.  He has a long ways to go so send prayers for him too.



Day 66...friends and racin

Cute little desert flower about the size of a dime.

                                             Racing at the Blythe CA quarter mile track.

                                               ==========================
Hi there,    the computer is goofy again tonight and  it is late so I will write fast.

We met a friend from Pine Island for lunch.   Larry and his cousin was going to meet us at the
Sizzler in Blythe but found it closed so we went to Denny's,   We were so looking forward to the Sizzler buffet though.   We had a nice visit.

On to the grocery store.   There was a grand opening at the store next door so I had to check it out.
I found a neat purse.   I really really needed one!!

We got a few groceries.   Didn't want to get much with just a few weeks left here but still got a small cart full.

On to the Wilson home on wheels.  They are camped just across the river from Blythe.   Enjoyed seeing Audrey's beautiful quilts she is making.  They treated us to a yummy supper.     After supper the 4 of us went to the races.

It got kind of chilly after dark so we were glad to have our heavy coats along.   The race was good but a bit boring.   It was all to clean.  No accidents !!

Trey got home all safe and sound.   Back to the cold and snow...........

Good night and God Bless
.
.

Day 65...Great company

                                           It was a wonderful evening.   Trey came to visit.

Hi everyone.   
Not sure how much I will get on here tonight.   I don't have much of a signal and this crazy computer just wants to argue with me.

We got up a bit early and went to see friends fly their remote airplanes.   So interesting.
I will have to wait with the pictures though.

Trey has been attending a Lincoln Welder class all  week near LA.  He finished early today so he traveled over 4 hours to come and see us.  Now his returning to LA and will fly home in the morning.
Trey repairs welders of all kinds in Rochester.  Now he is a certified in fixing Lincoln welders.

I will try another picture and then say good night.....   I am watching "The Bible"  on TV.   so good.
God Bless

                                               Our friend Kermit and his planes.